Healing Power is a band you don’t want to miss. The quartet from Cincinnati has been better known as Pomegranates for quite a while, but the quirky art rock/pop group has evolved such that a name change was much needed to fit the group’s new sound. Never fear though, they play live as good as ever, and they still play lots of material from their last release as Pomegranates, Heaven. Several new Healing Power tunes permeated the set, which was as energetic as I expected it would be. The foursome wore matching Healing Power leather jackets and t-shirts, and were boucing around the stage quite energetically. Isaac Karns’ falsettos were flawless, especially in “Ezekiel” and my personal favorite “Pass Away,” a song about a dream Isaac had of a conversation with Jesus backstage at a KISS concert. Joey Cook is probably the most fun to watch, but he’s got pipes as well! This was most noticeable in the mellow “Something Everybody Wants.” All in all, this show did nothing except confirm Healing Power as one of my favorite indie bands to see live. Keep an eye out for them, especially if you live in the Midwest.

Rising locals Bella Ruse and Yakuza Heart Attack opened the show. Bella Ruse, who call themselves a “quirk-pop” duo, played an engaging set of lighthearted tunes on a variety of instruments, utilizing everything from a traditional guitar and kickdrum to a typewriter. The twosome (who are married), recently relocated to Columbus from Minneapolis, plan on playing as much as they can around town while occasionally touring. Their friendly persona is the same onstage as it is offstage. Instrumental art-rock band Yakuza Heart Attack was the direct support for the evening, playing a slew of jams that resonated with the Thursday night crowd. This show was probably the only place I’ve heard a band influenced by Kraftwerk, Pink Floyd, and Igor Stravinsky play!

Click on the below photos for a better view – and check out the full album on the I AM TUNED UP Facebook page.